Office of Policy, Communications and Education

The Office of Policy, Communications and Education (OPCE) is an integral part of the Office of the Director, and serves as the National Human Genome Research Institute's (NHGRI) link to the community at large. This varied community includes: the general public; the news media; non-profit organizations; professional societies; researchers; academic institutions; Congress; the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS); the National Institutes of Health (NIH); and the advisors to NHGRI.

Mission

The mission of the Office of Policy, Communications and Education (OPCE) is to promote the integration and utilization of genomic knowledge to advance human health and society.

OPCE achieves this mission by engaging broad communities of stakeholders in the Institute's activities and promoting dialog and awareness of the potential implications of the application of this knowledge within society. Primary among the stakeholder communities are members of the general public, policy makers, educators, students, health care professionals, and the research community itself.

Goals

1. To inform and educate stakeholders about genomic research, applications, and issues.
2. To facilitate stakeholder participation in the development and implementation of NHGRI initiatives.
3. To encourage the application of genomic technologies and information within society through positive and empowering mechanisms.

Branches

Policy and Program Analysis Branch
The Policy and Program Analysis Branch analyzes and tracks Federal legislation that may have an impact on the mission of NHGRI, and helps to develop recommendations to the director of NHGRI for legislative proposals. For further details, see:

• Policy and Ethics
  Congressional testimony, and state and federal legislation regarding policy issues surrounding genetic discrimination.
  
  
• Ethical, Legal and Social Implications Research Program

Education and Community Involvement Branch
Advises the director and senior staff on a broad range of issues regarding public education and community involvement.

• Initiatives and Resources Related to Minority and Special Populations

Communications and Public Liaison Branch
Coordinates and manages media inquiries, news releases and requests, background information and other communications needs for the NHGRI.

Genomic Healthcare Branch
Promotes the effective integration of genomic discoveries into healthcare.

Director

Laura Lyman Rodriguez, Ph.D.
E-mail: rodrigla@mail.nih.gov

Scientific Program Analysts

Alice Bailey
E-mail: baileyali@mail.nih.gov

Rosann Wise
E-mail: wisern@mail.nih.gov

Program Coordinator

Nicole Moore
E-mail: mooren3@mail.nih.gov

Address

Office of Policy, Communications and Education
National Human Genome Research Institute
National Institutes of Health
Building 31, Room 4B09
9000 Rockville Pike, MSC 2152
Rockville, MD 20892

Phone: (301) 402-0911
Fax: (301) 402-2218

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Last Updated: January 3, 2012